Guy Fawkes

So, Friday is November fifth.

Joe has a special treat in store for those familiar with the holiday associated with this date back in Great Britain. And a great cocktail it is, too!

Enjoy the "Guy Fawkes!"

The Recipe:

Into a cocktail shaker full of ice, pour:

- a 4 count of Bombay Sapphire Gin,

- a 2 count of Canton Ginger Liqueur,

- a 2 count of Orange Juice,

Shake viciously,

- Strain into a large martini glass,

- Drop in a single maraschino cherry

Original recipe by Joe the Bartender, The Passage Lounge, Salem, MA

Joe's notes: This week's cocktail is dedicated to the celebration in the U.K. of Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night.

Depending on which side of the Atlantic you are reading this on, you may be unaware of the great celebration of November the 5th.

To give a short history lesson: a little over four hundred years ago Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up King James, (the 1st,) during the opening ceremonies at the House of Parliament in London. His plot was foiled.

He was arrested, taken to the tower of London, tortured and stretched on the rack. He was then hung, drawn and quartered and his decapitated head was displayed for all of London to see on traitors gate.

Every year the children in the U.K. celebrate by making an effigy of Guy. Similar to a scarecrow, old clothes are stuffed using newspaper, straw and rags. The"Guy" is then paraded around the neighborhood, usually in an old baby carriage, his head lolling back while his arms and legs hang over the side, depicting his torture.

The children call out "Penny for the Guy". The money collected is used to buy fireworks for the evenings events. Huge bonfires are built. When the day has turned to darkness the bonfires are lit, the sky is filled with fireworks and Guy is thrown on the bonfire to burn. Quite often effigy's of modern day religious or political figures are also thrown on the fires.

It is all a bit of harmless fun, although to see your own effigy burned on the fire most be quite unsettling.

I have very found memories of being a child in the U.K. standing with my family, chanting Guy Fawkes rhymes and watching the fires burn.

"Remember, remember, the Fifth of November! the Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I see no reason why The Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot..."

"Rumour, rumour, pump and derry! Prick his heart and burn his body,

And send his soul to Purgatory."

Enjoy your Guy Fawkes Cocktail.

Joe

Chris's notes: Yikes! This blog packs some educational value, anyways! (Even the teetotalers can benefit from reading here now and again!)

I gotta say, I really enjoyed this drink. I mean, sure, I know almost nothing about "Guy Fawkes" or the holiday that surrounds his story. In fact, I had never heard of it before Joe told me that he wanted to do a drink for it.

I did enjoy the creation process, though. Joe INSISTED on Gin, (for merry old England, of course,) with Bombay Sapphire being his Gin of choice.

He decided on Canton for a nice "Gin and Ginger" direction.

Orange Juice came about originally out of necessity: Joe wanted a drink that looked like fire, (the burning of the effigy, and all,) but worked so nicely together. And it was research regular, Michael B. who suggested dropping the cherry to the bottom for the final touch.

The outcome: Brilliant! The gin is the dominant flavor here, all tangy and sharp. The flavors of ginger and orange play such a pivotal role in cushioning the taste, though, that what you get is a collection of flavors in perfect balance.

Absolute yummers!

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This week's "Barely-Related Video" is almost entirely unrelated to this week's drink. Just another example of "foreign." Try to enjoy... "Elektronik/Supersonik" by Vlad!

Ginger Grant

Joe decided to prepare a tropical-style, "cabaña drink," made with Canton, one of his favorite liqueurs, with this week's this cocktail, that so reminded me of "The Movie Star."

Into a cocktail shaker full of ice, add:

- A 3-count of Cabo tequila

- A 3-counton of Canton Ginger Liqueur,

- A sploosh of Falernum

- A 2 count of Goya® Passionfruit Juice,

- A "feather" of grenadine,

Squeeze the juice from one wedge of lemon and then a wedge of lime directly into the shaker,

Shake (like a tropical monsoon!)

- Strain over fresh ice,

- Top with a splash of soda

Garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry

Original Recipe by Joe the Bartender, The Passage Lounge, Salem, MA.

Chris's Notes: My fascination with actress Ginger Grant is well-known and well documented, but who could blame me? That gorgeous amber hair, that slinky walk, those curves, and of course, when that music came up and she was "turning on her charms," what man could resist her passion?

It just so happened that I was daydreaming about the lovely Ms. Grant, and a particular episode of Gilligan's Island, ('The Prodigal Husband ,' Season 3, Episode 31, in which Ginger's long-lost common-law husband finds her on the island,) when Joe presented me with this vision.

It's tall sexy shape, its deep rich color, exotic smells... I needed a taste. As I was kissing her, I mean sipping her, er, it, Joe began to tell me, "I decided on something with Ginger." He went on to list the other ingredients, (something about 'passion?') but I'd heard enough. I knew that this drink would be named after her. And in her honor!

The cocktail had a strong fruity sweetness, thanks primarily due to the passionfruit and Grenadine, but softened and sharpened by the ginger of the Canton. The sparkle of the soda, and the snap of the tequila round this out very nicely.

I was afraid at first, that this would be viewed as a "girly drink." I was conflicted. My thoughts tumbled in my head like underpants in a dryer with no Cling-Free. How could I, a big, burly, manly man, be enjoying a "girly drink?"

Of course! This was one of those cocktails that falls into a classification devoid of gender exclusivity! A tropical punch "Boat Drink!" A reminder that, despite schools being back in session, and a hurricane knocking on the door, it IS still summer. Cheers!

Oh, you may have noticed that Joe posted no notes this week. Actually, he had a very interesting and insightful tale with many an unseen twist! It was really some of his best writing.

Unfortunately, in his narrative, Joe hinted at a preference for Mary Ann in the show Gilligan's Island. WHAT!?!

Because of this, I felt it best to edit his entire commentary out this week.

That'll learn 'im.

Our weekly "Barely-Related Video" this week is actually quite related!

Watch with me now The Honey Bees with You Need Us!

Dark & Stormy

The Dark And Stormy is the official National Drink of Bermuda. For good reason, too. This thing is scrumpdilly! Joe took this revered and delish recipe and tweaked it with his own touch. The result?

Well, it IS the greatest drink in the world this week, so, there ya go.

The Recipe:

Fill a 16 ounce Pint Glass with ice, and then add:

- Gosling’s Ginger Beer, fill about 2/3s of the way to the top, (Joe prefers Barritt’s when available)

- Float a 4 count of Gosling's Black Rum

- 1 count on Canton to fill the glass

- Garnish with a wedge of Lime

Original Recipe by Joe the Bartender, Passage To India Restaurant, Salem, MA

Joe the Bartender's notes: I have two reasons for putting the Dark and Stormy up as the greatest drink in the world... this week. First, because it is the greatest drink in the world... this week. And Second, it allows me to use the word 'eupeptic' in a sentence, as in:

"The Dark and Stormy is the perfect drink to accompany any meal because of its eupeptic qualities."

Now I have that out of my system, back to the drink. The Dark and Stormy is one of the few drinks to my knowledge that has a particular brand as a must-use ingredient. Gosling's has trademarked the name Dark and Stormy™ , so in making one you must use Gosling's Black Seal Rum. I have added Canton to my D&S, as I like the smooth ginger flavor and extra "oomph" it gives.

To my shame as bartender, I had never heard of the D&S until about three years ago when I was in a bar in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and a customer ordered one. I believed at the time that it was a local fisherman's drink,you know, The Perfect Storm , and all that. It wasn't until later investigation that I discovered it was actually the national drink of Bermuda.

I was drawn to the D&S because of the inclusion of ginger beer. Apart from the Moscow Mule, there are not many registered cocktails that have ginger beer as an ingredient.

As a kid growing up in the U.K., ginger beer was always a favorite "soda" of mine.

Ginger beer originated in England some time in the 1700's. The English author, Enid Blyton, in her Famous Five books always had the kids drinking "lashings of ginger beer," when they sat down to one of their feasts. For those of you unfamiliar with Enid Blyton, she was the J.K. Rowling of her time. She wrote the "Famous Five" books between 1943 and 1961. Her gang of four plus dog where upper middle class children always getting into hijinks.

She has been criticized in her writing for, shall we say, not being very "P.C." One criticism is that she had her kids eating an abundant amount of food and drinking these "lashings of ginger beer," when, in fact, England was still under post-WWII food rationing until 1954!

Ginger beer, Gosling Black Rum and Canton. The greatest drink in the world... this week.

Chris the Barfly's notes: Four kids and a dog getting into hijinks? I think I've seen that show!

On the Dark and Stormy, well, first and foremost, you NEED to like ginger to like this drink. That said, if you DO like ginger, you are going to love this drink! The ginger beer is a bit on the sweet side, but the bitter punch of the dark rum, (or "Black Rum" according to Gosling,) totally balances this thing out. But it is the Canton, (a favorite flavor enhancer of Joe's, I have noticed!), that REALLY brings out the flavor of the ginger from that ginger beer.

This is such an easy drink to make, (and make well,) and an incredibly easy cocktail to drink. It is not too strong, not too bitter, and not too sweet, just a tall glass of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens!

Those Bermudans chose well!

Yes, this Dark and Stormy has lots of Ginger. Granted*, but that is not a bad thing.

(*Sorry. I have a hard time NOT doing that sort of thing! -C.)

The East Side Press

During a recent "staff meeting," it was noticed that our running poll, (those blue bars mid-way down the left side of the blog; Little more... There it is!) reflected a popularity in Brandy! In fact, Brandy ranked in second place, tied with vodka! And yet, The Greatest Drink In The World... This Week has no brandy drinks in its repertoire! This must be rectified!

Here then, now, to remedy this injustice is this weeks Greatest Drink: The East Side Press.

The Recipe:

While chilling a large martini glass, into a cocktail shaker full of ice, add:

- The juice of 1/4 of a large lemon,

- a 3 count of Cognac,

- a 2 count of Canton Ginger Liqueur,

- a teaspoon of brown sugar,

- a teaspoon of egg white,

- 4 drops of Angostura Bitters,

- Shake fervently!

- Strain into the now-chilled martini glass,

- Garnish with a large slice of fresh, juicy, orange.

Bartenders Notes: In searching for the perfect brandy-based cocktail for this week’s “Greatest Drink,” I was reminded of a regular patron from not too long ago.

It was every Friday evening, one of my favorite costumers would come into the bar; we’ll just call her, “Diva.” She’d arrive clad in faux-leopard skin or some other equally flamboyant attire, sparkling with diamonds and dripping with gold, and perch herself at her regularly reserved bar stool.

"Something delicious, Joey," she’d say, with a flirtatious little smirk and a little wave of her fingers. She’d voice nothing in particular as to what the ingredients she wanted, but always preferred a drink that's color matched her chosen outfit of the evening.

I had a special repertoire of drinks put aside just for her visits and it was from this selection that I first presented her with the East Side Press by Xavier Herit. With its rich ingredients of cognac and Canton, I felt that it would be a suitable cocktail to present to Miss Diva.

I recall the first time her well-manicured hands raised the glass to her lips and the response she gave after tasting it: “Oooh, Joey!”

Even the strongest man’s knees would have quivered.

The schoolboy smile of pride was still warm on my face as the first of a chorus of "I'll have one of those, please," came from her envious and/or curious co-patrons.

Diva never did ask for the East Side Press by name, but, (and maybe this is just my imagination, but,) she did seem to be dressed more frequently in colors that matched it.

Chris' Notes: Upon first tasting, one notices that this is a strong cocktail, (in fact, research partner this week, my wife, Cheryl, felt it a little too strong for her less-seasoned palette.)

Yes, this drink is very strong, but also very sweet, (Hey! Just like me!) In fact, the strength and the sweetness of this cocktail are in such well-balanced proportion that they seem to meet, like destiny-bound lovers in a special place; a placed talked of only in fairy tales and legends...

I'm sorry. I digress.

As I was saying, the warmth of the brandy mixes really nicely with the sweet ginger and brown sugar, (and don't underestimate the influence of that slice of orange, either!) and the result is a great, delicately complex, and uncommon dessert/after dinner cocktail.

Enjoy & Cheers, Chris

Domaine de Canton Home Page

Ginger Mojito

Start with something good, and add something good...

The Recipe:

Into a large, chilled 16-ounce pint glass:

- add squeezed wedge of lime,

- add the leaves of 2 whole stems of fresh mint,

- add 1/2 teaspoon of simple syrup,

- add 1 3-count of Canton, (French Ginger Liqueur,)

Muddle it, Oh! and Muddle it well!

- add a 3 count of white rum,

- Stir with a bar spoon,

- fill with ice, stir,

- add a “sploosh” of soda on top,

- garnish with lime and fresh mint.

Recipe by Joe the Bartender, Passage to India restaurant, Salem, MA

Bartender’s notes: As the drink sits, the flavors mellow to the point where each sip bathes your mouth in the tastes of fresh mint, tart lime, and tangy ginger. Mmmmm...

Chris's notes: This drink has a complex meeting of flavors that traditionally don't overlap. The ginger, mint and lime seem to each be struggling for supremacy of flavor at first, but settle into blend of tastebud-tingling goodness.

Salud! -Chris